Shepherd shuts down Bobcats

Posted: Thursday, Oct 11th, 2012BY: Andrew Reiner

Wesleyan defensive end Brian Vukela (44), pictured above in this file photo from the Bobcats’ Sept. 8 game against Bentley (Mass.), scored the Bobcats’ only points Saturday with a 21-yard interception return in the second quarter of a 37-6 loss to the Shepherd Rams. Wesleyan fell to 2-4 on the season with the loss.File photo by BRIAN BERGSTROM/The Record Delta

SHEPHERDSTOWN — The Shepherd Rams shut out the West Virginia Wesleyan offense and scored 27 unanswered points in the second half Saturday, defeating the Bobcats 37-6 in a WVIAC football matchup.

Shepherd quarter Bobby Cooper threw for two touchdowns and freshman running back Allen Cross stepped into a shorthanded Rams backfield and ran for 118 yards and three second-half scores. With the win, Shepherd improved to 5-1 and an undefeated 4-0 in the WVIAC, while Wesleyan dropped to 2-4 on the season and 1-2 in conference games.

“At the end of the day, this football team has to look in the mirror and ask themselves, ‘Was the guy across from me that much better than me?’” Wesleyan head coach Jonas Jackson remarked. “If the answer is no, then it comes down to effort.”

Shepherd, now winners of five straight games after dropping their season opener against Shippensburg (Pa.), stands as the only team left undefeated in WVIAC play. The Rams have allowed just 35 total points during their five-game win streak and only a scant 12 points over the last two weeks.